DeKALB, IL – Northern Illinois University head volleyball coach Ray Gooden announced on Wednesday that Ella Mihacevich and Hannah Oehlberg have signed to join the program for the 2020 season.
 
Mihacevich is a 5-foot-9 setter from Brunswick, Ohio. She led Padua Franciscan High School to the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I state championship match this season as the Bruins posted a 28-1 record. Mihacevich earned First Team All-State honors as well as a Second Team Under Armour All-America selection from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. As a junior, Mihacevich and the Bruins were also OHSAA Division I state runners-up and were 26-2 with her earning a Second Team All-State selection. She has earned First Team All-Conference and All-Area honors in each of the last two seasons. The Bruins won the OHSAA Division II state championship in 2017.
 
"Simply put, Ella is a winner," said Gooden. "She has had a tremendous impact on every team at every level she's played at. Ella has a solid base of skills that you look for in a setter. She has good feet, good hands, speed and athletic ability."
 
Oehlberg, a 6-foot outside hitter from DeKalb, transfers to NIU after playing two seasons at IUPUI. In 2019 she averaged 2.67 kills per set in 12 matches. Oehlberg had double-digit kills in seven matches with six double-doubles. As a freshman, Oehlberg led the Jaguars with 2.67 kills per set in 17 matches and finished the season with five consecutive matches with double-figure kills. Oehlberg was a three-time First Team All-Northern Illinois Big 12 selection at DeKalb High School and was the conference Most Valuable Player. She was named the DeKalb Chronicle Volleyball Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017. As a junior at DeKalb, Oehlberg had 386 kills as the Barbs won an Illinois High School Association Class 4A regional and sectional championship. She followed that up with 450 kills in her senior season.
 
"We're happy to welcome Hannah back home to DeKalb," Gooden said. "She brings a lot of experience and depth to our group of pin hitters. Hannah has the ability to be both physical and smart with her pin play."
 
--NIU--